Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cleaner is disclosed. The cleaner includes a cleaner body, including a first connection passage for guiding external air thereinto, and a cleaning nozzle. The cleaning nozzle includes a case including a suction port and a second connection passage connected to the first connection passage to guide air sucked into the case through the suction port to the outside, a push button penetrating one surface of the case so as to be movable in the direction in which the push button is pressed, and a rotary member mounted to the outer surface of the second connection passage so as to be rotatable. The rotary member couples the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other at normal times, and decouples the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the rotary member is rotated along with movement of the push button.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cleaner, and more particularly to a cleaner that is capable of selectively performing automatic cleaning or manual cleaning.

BACKGROUND

In general, a cleaner includes a cleaner body, which is provided with a suction unit and a dust container, and a cleaning nozzle, which is connected to the cleaner body and performs cleaning while contacting an area to be cleaned.

The cleaner is classified into a manual cleaner, with which a user manually performs cleaning of an area to be cleaned, and an automatic cleaner that performs cleaning while traveling autonomously on an area to be cleaned.

In the case of a manual cleaner, suction force is generated in a suction unit by the power of an electric motor. In this state, if a user grips a cleaning nozzle or a cleaner body with the hand and puts the cleaning nozzle on an area to be cleaned, foreign substances such as dust present on the area to be cleaned are sucked into the cleaning nozzle by the suction force, and the sucked foreign substances are collected in a dust container. In this way, the cleaning operation of the manual cleaner is performed.

In the case of an automatic cleaner, in addition to the suction unit and the dust container, an ultrasonic sensor and/or a camera sensor is mounted to a cleaner body. While the cleaner body travels autonomously on an area to be cleaned using the aforementioned sensor, foreign substances present on the area to be cleaned are sucked into the cleaning nozzle by the suction force generated in the suction unit, and the sucked foreign substances are collected in the dust container. In this way, the cleaning operation of the automatic cleaner is performed.

The cleaning nozzle of the manual cleaner is moved and brought into close contact with an area to be cleaned by a user, whereas the cleaning nozzle of the automatic cleaner is coupled to the cleaner body so as to be brought into close contact with an area to be cleaned.

Each of the manual cleaner and the automatic cleaner further includes wheels, which are mounted to the cleaner body and by which the cleaner body can move. Wheels mounted to the manual cleaner enable a user to easily pull the cleaner body placed on an area to be cleaned while performing cleaning. Wheels mounted to the automatic cleaner are rotated by the drive force generated in an electric motor, whereby the cleaner body can travel autonomously.

Recently, cleaners capable of selectively performing automatic cleaning or manual cleaning have been actively developed. However, because a cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning is disposed so as to closely contact an area to be cleaned, when a user performs manual cleaning, the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning may be caught by a door sill or the like, which makes it inconvenient for the user to pull a cleaner body. Thus, when a user wants to perform manual cleaning, the user needs to remove the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning from the cleaner body and to replace the same with a cleaning nozzle for use in manual cleaning.

The cleaning nozzle for use in manual cleaning is formed to have sufficient length so that the user can perform cleaning while standing. However, if the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning is formed longer than necessary, the area on which the cleaner can travel is decreased. Therefore, the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning should be formed as short as possible so that the overall length in the direction in which the cleaner body and the cleaning nozzle mounted to the cleaner body travel is as short as possible.

One of the methods of decreasing the overall length in the direction in which the cleaner body and the cleaning nozzle travel is to decrease the lengths of a connection passage formed at the outer side of the cleaner body and a connection passage formed at the outer side of the cleaning nozzle, which are connected to each other.

However, if the connection passages are formed to have excessively short lengths, in the state in which the cleaning nozzle is coupled to the cleaner body, the connection passages are located at the lower side of the cleaner body and do not protrude outwards from the cleaner body. Thus, in the case in which a removing mechanism for removing the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning from the cleaner body is mounted to the connection passages, the user is inconvenienced in that he/she must view the lower side of the cleaner body in order to verify the location of the removing mechanism. Further, the sealing performance of the connection passages may be degraded due to the removing mechanism mounted to the connection passages.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaner in which a mechanism for removing a cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning from a cleaner body is mounted to the cleaning nozzle for use in automatic cleaning, thereby selectively performing automatic cleaning and manual cleaning and enabling a user to easily switch from an automatic cleaning mode to a manual cleaning mode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner in which the lower side of a dust container is seated on an adapter for interconnecting a cleaner body and a cleaning nozzle, thereby simplifying the structure of the cleaner through integration of parts.

However, objects to be accomplished by the invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a cleaner including a cleaner body including a first connection passage formed at an outer surface of the cleaner body to guide external air into the cleaner body, and a cleaning nozzle configured to clean an area to be cleaned using a suction port formed therein for sucking air, wherein the cleaning nozzle includes a case including the suction port and a second connection passage for guiding air sucked into the case through the suction port to an outside, the second connection passage being connected to the first connection passage, a push button penetrating one surface of the case so as to be movable in a direction in which the push button is pressed, and a rotary member mounted to an outer surface of the second connection passage so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft extending across the direction in which the push button is pressed, the rotary member being configured to couple the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other at normal times and to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the rotary member is rotated along with movement of the push button.

The rotary member may include a hinge portion including the rotary shaft, the hinge portion being hinged to the outer surface of the second connection passage, a first arm portion extending in one direction from the hinge portion so as to be in contact with the push button, and a second arm portion extending in the opposite direction from the hinge portion so as to couple the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other, the second arm portion being configured to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the first arm portion is pushed by the push button.

The second arm portion may include a hook projection for coupling the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other, the hook projection being configured to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the first arm portion is pushed by the push button.

The first connection passage may be inserted into the second connection passage, the first connection passage may have therein a hook hole into which the hook projection is inserted, and the second connection passage may have therein a hook recess into which the hook projection is inserted.

The cleaning nozzle may further include a cover mounted to the outer surface of the second connection passage to cover the hinge portion and the second arm portion.

The cleaning nozzle may further include an elastic member for returning the rotary member to the original position of the rotary member, the elastic member being elastically supported by the second arm portion and the cover.

The elastic member may be configured as a coil spring, and the second arm portion may include an insertion boss configured to be inserted into the coil spring.

The first arm portion may be disposed at a rear position on the basis of the hinge portion, the second arm portion may be disposed at a front position on the basis of the hinge portion, and the push button may be formed to be curved in the longitudinal direction thereof such that one end thereof that penetrates a side surface of the case is located further forward than the opposite end thereof that is in contact with the first arm portion.

The case may include a guide protrusion formed therein to guide horizontal movement of the push button, and the guide protrusion may be formed such that the surface thereof that faces the push button is curved corresponding to the curvature of the push button.

The rotary shaft may protrude from one side of the hinge portion, and the second connection passage may have a hinge recess formed in the outer surface of the second connection passage, the hinge recess being configured to allow the rotary shaft to be inserted thereinto.

The cleaner body may protrude further outward than the first connection passage and the second connection passage, and the cleaning nozzle may protrude further outward than the cleaner body.

The cleaner may further include a dust container detachably coupled to the cleaner body to store foreign substances therein, and an adapter configured to interconnect the cleaner body and the cleaning nozzle and to allow the dust container to be seated thereon. The first connection passage may be formed at the adapter.

The case may include an upper case including the second connection passage, and a lower case coupled to the upper case, the lower case including the suction port that communicates with an internal space in the upper case and a through-hole that the push button penetrates in the horizontal direction.

The second connection passage may be formed such that the distal end in the longitudinal direction thereof is located within the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cleaner from which a dust container depicted in FIG. 1 is separated;

FIG. 3 is a coupled perspective view of a cleaning nozzle and an adapter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning nozzle and the adapter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the state in which the cleaning nozzle is coupled to the adapter using a hook; and

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the state in which the coupling of the cleaning nozzle to the adapter using the hook is released.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be made clear from embodiments described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same components.

Hereinafter, a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the cleaner from which a dust container depicted in FIG. 1 is separated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaner 100 includes a cleaner body 110, a cleaning nozzle 120, a sensing unit 130, and a dust container 140.

The cleaner 100 further includes various components including a controller (not illustrated) for controlling the cleaner 100, which are embedded in or mounted on the cleaner body 110. The cleaner body 110 may have therein a space formed to accommodate various components, which constitute the cleaner 100, therein.

The cleaner body 110 is configured to travel in one of an automatic mode and a manual mode depending on a user's selection. The cleaner body 110 may be provided with a mode selection input unit, through which a user selects one of the automatic mode and the manual mode. When the user selects the automatic mode using the mode selection input unit, the cleaner body 110 may travel autonomously like a robot cleaner. When the user selects the manual mode using the mode selection input unit, the cleaner body 110 may travel by being manually drawn or pushed by the user.

The cleaner body 110 is provided with a wheel 111 for allowing the cleaner body 110 to travel. The wheel 111 is configured to be rotated by receiving the torque of a motor (not illustrated). The rotational direction of the motor may be controlled by the controller (not illustrated), and the wheel 111 may be rotated in one direction or the opposite direction depending on the rotational direction of the motor.

The wheel 111 may be provided at each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110. The cleaner body 110 may be moved or turned in all directions by the wheel 111.

Each wheel 111 may be configured to be operated independently. To this end, each wheel 111 may be individually operated by a corresponding motor.

The controller controls the operation of the wheel 111 so that the cleaner 100 can travel autonomously on an area to be cleaned.

The wheel 111 is provided at the lower side of the cleaner body 110 so as to drive the cleaner body 110. The wheel 111 may be constituted by circular wheel members, may be constituted by circular rollers connected via a belt chain, or may be constituted by a combination of circular wheel members and circular rollers connected via a belt chain. The wheel 111 may be arranged such that the upper portion thereof is located inside the cleaner body 110 and the lower portion thereof is exposed downwards from the cleaner body 110. At least the lower portion of the wheel 111 is maintained in contact with an area to be cleaned, e.g. a floor, thereby driving the cleaner body 110.

The wheel 111 may be mounted to each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110. The wheel 111 disposed at the left side of the cleaner body 110 and the wheel 111 disposed at the right side of the cleaner body 110 may be operated independently of each other. The wheel 111 disposed at the left side of the cleaner body 110 may be connected to a first drive motor via at least one first gear. The first gear may be rotated by the torque of the first drive motor, and the wheel 111 disposed at the left side of the cleaner body 110 may also be rotated along with the rotation of the first gear. The wheel 111 disposed at the right side of the cleaner body 110 may be connected to a second drive motor via at least one second gear. The second gear may be rotated by the torque of the second drive motor, and the wheel 111 disposed at the right side of the cleaner body 110 may also be rotated along with the rotation of the second gear.

The controller may control the rotational speed of a rotary shaft of each of the first drive motor and the second drive motor so as to determine the direction in which the cleaner body 110 travels. For example, when the controller performs control such that the rotary shaft of the first drive motor and the rotary shaft of the second drive motor are simultaneously rotated at the same rotational speed as each other, the cleaner body 110 may travel straight. When the controller performs control such that the rotary shaft of the first drive motor and the rotary shaft of the second drive motor are simultaneously rotated at different rotational speeds from each other, the cleaner body 110 may turn to the left or right. In order to make the cleaner body 110 turn to the left or right, the controller may operate one of the first drive motor and the second drive motor and may stop the operation of the other.

The cleaner 100 may further include a suspension unit, which may be mounted in the cleaner body 110. The suspension unit may include a coil spring. The suspension unit may serve to absorb shocks and vibrations, which are transmitted to the wheel 111 while the cleaner body 110 travels, using the elastic force of the coil spring.

In addition, the cleaner 100 may further include an ascending/descending unit, which is mounted to the suspension unit in order to adjust the height of the cleaner body 110. The ascending/descending unit may be mounted to the suspension unit so as to be movable upwards or downwards, and may be coupled to the cleaner body 110. Therefore, when the ascending/descending unit moves upwards in the suspension unit, the cleaner body 110 may also move upwards along with the ascending/descending unit, and when the ascending/descending unit moves downwards in the suspension unit, the cleaner body 110 may also move downwards along with the ascending/descending unit. The cleaner body 110 is moved upwards or downwards by the ascending/descending unit, whereby the height thereof is adjusted.

When the cleaner body 110 travels on a hard floor to clean the same, the wheel 111 and the bottom of the cleaning nozzle 120 are maintained in close contact with the floor. However, when the cleaner body 110 travels on a carpet laid over the floor, the wheel 111 may slip, and thus the traveling performance of the cleaner body 110 may be degraded. In addition, the cleaning nozzle 120 may draw the carpet with a certain suction force, and this suction force applied between the cleaning nozzle 120 and the carpet may degrade the traveling performance of the cleaner body 110.

In order to solve this problem, the ascending/descending unit adjusts the height of the cleaner body 110 depending on the slip rate of the wheel 111, and consequently the degree of contact between the bottom of the cleaning nozzle 120 and an area to be cleaned can be adjusted. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the traveling performance of the cleaner body 110 regardless of the material of the area to be cleaned.

As described above, the wheel 111 disposed at the left side of the cleaner body 110 is connected to the first drive motor via the first gear, and the wheel 111 disposed at the right side of the cleaner body 110 is connected to the second drive motor via the second gear. In this configuration, when the first drive motor and the second drive motor are stationary, the wheel 111 disposed at each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110 is not allowed to rotate. In this state, the user cannot drive the cleaner body 110 in a manual mode. Therefore, when the cleaner body 110 is driven in the manual mode, the connection between the wheel 111 disposed at each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110 and a corresponding one of the first and second drive motors should be released. To this end, the cleaner 100 may further include a clutch, which is provided inside the cleaner body 110 and which connects the wheel 111 disposed at each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110 and a corresponding one of the first and second drive motors when the cleaner body 110 is driven in the automatic mode, and releases the connection between the wheel 111 disposed at each of the left and right sides of the cleaner body 110 and a corresponding one of the first and second drive motors when the cleaner body 110 is driven in the manual mode.

The cleaner 100 may further include a battery (not illustrated), which is mounted to the cleaner body 110 in order to supply electrical power to electrical components of the cleaner 100. The battery may be configured to be rechargeable, and may be detachably mounted to the cleaner body 110.

A dust container accommodation unit 112 is provided in the cleaner body 110. The dust container 140, which separates foreign substances from the sucked air and collects the foreign substances therein, is detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation unit 112.

The dust container accommodation unit 112 may be formed to have a shape that is opened forwards and upwards from the cleaner body 110 and that is indented from the front side of the cleaner body 110 toward the rear side of the cleaner body 110. Alternatively, the dust container accommodation unit 112 may be formed in a shape in which the front side of the cleaner body 110 is opened forwards, upwards and downwards.

The dust container accommodation unit 112 may be formed at the other side of the cleaner body 110 (for example, the rear side of the cleaner body 110) depending on the kind of cleaner.

The dust container 140 is detachably coupled to the dust container accommodation unit 112. A portion of the dust container 140 may be accommodated in the dust container accommodation unit 112, and the remaining portion of the dust container 140 may be formed to protrude from the cleaner body 110 in the forward direction.

The dust container 140 includes an inlet 142, through which air containing foreign substances such as dust is introduced, and an outlet 143, through which air from which dust has been separated is discharged. When the dust container 140 is mounted in the dust container accommodation unit 112, the inlet 142 and the outlet 143 formed in the dust container 140 respectively communicate with a first opening 116 and a second opening 117 formed in an inner wall of the dust container accommodating unit 112.

An intake flow passage formed in the cleaner body 110 corresponds to a flow passage formed from the cleaning nozzle 120 to the first opening 116, and an exhaust flow passage formed in the cleaner body 110 corresponds to a flow passage formed from the second opening 117 to an exhaust port.

Due to this air flow connection relationship, air containing foreign substances, which is introduced through the cleaning nozzle 120, is introduced into the dust container 140 via the intake flow passage in the cleaner body 110, and the foreign substances are separated from the sucked air while passing through at least one filtering member (for example, a cyclone, a filter, etc.) provided in the dust container 140. The foreign substances are collected in the dust container 140, and the air is discharged from the dust container 140. The filtered air is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port after passing through the exhaust flow passage in the cleaner body 110.

The cleaner body 110 is provided with an upper cover 113, which is configured to cover the dust container 140 accommodated in the dust container accommodation unit 112. The upper cover 113 may be hinged to a portion of the cleaner body 110 so as to be rotatable. The upper cover 113 may cover the upper side of the dust container 140 by covering the opened upper side of the dust container accommodation unit 112. In addition, the upper cover 113 may be configured to be separable from the cleaner body 110.

In the state in which the upper cover 113 covers the dust container 140, the dust container 140 may be prevented from being separated from the dust container accommodation unit 112.

The upper cover 113 is provided at the upper side thereof with a handle 114. The handle 114 may be provided with an image-capturing unit 115. It is desirable for the image-capturing unit 115 to be arranged at an incline with respect to the bottom surface of the cleaner body 110 so as to capture an image of the surroundings ahead of and above the cleaner body 110.

The image-capturing unit 115 may be provided at the cleaner body 110, and may serve to capture an image for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) of the cleaner. The image captured by the image-capturing unit 115 is used to generate a map of a traveling area or to detect the current position within the traveling area.

The image-capturing unit 115 may generate three-dimensional coordinate information related to the surroundings of the cleaner body 110. This image-capturing unit 115 may be a three-dimensional depth camera, which calculates the distance between the cleaner 100 and an object to be photographed. Accordingly, field data related to the three-dimensional coordinate information may be generated.

Specifically, the image-capturing unit 115 may capture a two-dimensional image related to the surroundings of the cleaner body 110, and may generate a plurality of pieces of three-dimensional coordinate information that corresponds to the captured two-dimensional image.

In one embodiment, the image-capturing unit 115 may include two or more cameras for capturing two-dimensional images, thereby forming a stereo vision system, in which two or more images captured by the two or more cameras are combined and three-dimensional coordinate information corresponding thereto is generated.

Specifically, the image-capturing unit 115 according to the embodiment may include a first pattern emission unit, which emits light in a first pattern in a forward-and-downward direction from the cleaner body, a second pattern emission unit, which emits light in a second pattern in a forward-and-upward direction from the cleaner body, and an image acquisition unit, which acquires an image of the surroundings ahead of the cleaner body. Accordingly, the image acquisition unit acquires an image of a region to which the light in the first pattern and the light in the second pattern are emitted.

In another embodiment, the image-capturing unit 115 may include a single camera and an infrared pattern projection unit for projecting an infrared pattern. In this case, the distance between the image-capturing unit 115 and an object to be photographed may be measured by capturing the shape of the infrared pattern projected on the object to be photographed from the infrared pattern projection unit. This image-capturing unit 115 may be an infrared (IR)-type image-capturing unit.

In a further embodiment, the image-capturing unit 115 may include a single camera and a light-emitting unit for emitting light. In this case, the distance between the image-capturing unit 115 and an object to be photographed may be measured by receiving a portion of a laser beam that is reflected from the object to be photographed after being emitted from the light-emitting unit and analyzing the received laser beam. This image-capturing unit 115 may be a time-of-flight (TOF)-type image-capturing unit.

Specifically, the image-capturing unit 115 may include a laser that is configured to emit a laser beam in at least one direction. For example, the image-capturing unit 115 may include a first laser and a second laser. The first laser may emit linear laser beams that intersect each other, and the second laser may emit a linear laser beam. In this case, the lowermost laser is used to sense an obstacle located at a relatively low position on an area to be cleaned, the uppermost laser is used to sense an obstacle located at a relatively high position, and the intermediate laser, which is disposed between the lowermost laser and the uppermost laser, is used to sense an obstacle located at an intermediate position.

The sensing unit 130 may be disposed at the lower side of the upper cover 113, and may be detachably coupled to the dust container 140.

The sensing unit 130 is disposed at the cleaner body 110, and detects information related to the surroundings of the cleaner body 110. The sensing unit 130 detects information related to the surroundings in order to generate field data.

The sensing unit 130 senses the surroundings (including obstacles) of the cleaner 100 in order to prevent the cleaner 100 from colliding with obstacles. The sensing unit 130 may detect information related to the surroundings of the cleaner 100. The sensing unit 130 may sense the presence of a user around the cleaner 100. The sensing unit 130 may sense the presence of objects around the cleaner 100.

In addition, in order to improve the sensing function and the traveling function of the cleaner, the sensing unit 130 is configured so as to turn in the horizontal direction (i.e. panning) and in the vertical direction (i.e. tilting).

The sensing unit 130 is disposed at the front side of the cleaner body 110 and between the dust container 140 and the upper cover 113. The sensing unit 130 includes a coupling protrusion 132 d, which protrudes from the bottom surface of the sensing unit 130, and the dust container 140 includes a coupling recess 141, which is formed in the top surface of the dust container 140 and into which the coupling protrusion 132 d of the sensing unit 130 is inserted and coupled. When the upper cover 113 covers the top of the dust container accommodation unit 112, the coupling protrusion 132 d of the sensing unit 130 is inserted into the coupling recess 141 in the dust container 140. In this way, the dust container 140 is coupled to the sensing unit 130, with the result that the dust container 140 is prevented from being separated from the cleaner body 110. Conversely, when the upper cover 113 opens the top of the dust container accommodation unit 112, the coupling protrusion 132 d of the sensing unit 130 escapes from the coupling recess 141 in the dust container 140. Accordingly, the coupling between the dust container 140 and the sensing unit 130 is released, and thus the dust container 140 becomes separable from the cleaner body 110.

The sensing unit 130 may include at least one of an external signal sensor, an obstacle sensor, a cliff sensor, a lower camera sensor, an upper camera sensor, an encoder, a shock sensor, or a microphone.

The external signal sensor may sense an external signal of the cleaner 100. The external signal sensor may be, for example, an infrared ray sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, or the like. Accordingly, field data related to an external signal may be generated.

The cleaner 100 may receive a guide signal generated from the charging stand using the external signal sensor, and may detect information related to the location thereof and the direction to the charging stand. The charging stand may transmit a guide signal for indicating the direction and distance, based on which the cleaner 100 can return to the charging stand. That is, the cleaner 100 determines the current location thereof and the direction to the charging stand by receiving a signal transmitted from the charging stand, and returns to the charging stand.

The obstacle sensor may sense an obstacle present ahead of the cleaner. Accordingly, field data related to an obstacle may be generated.

The obstacle sensor may transmit field data, which is generated by sensing an object present in a region toward which the cleaner 100 is directed, to the controller. That is, the obstacle sensor may sense a protrusion, domestic items, furniture, a wall surface, a wall corner, etc. that are present in a path through which the cleaner 100 moves, and may transmit related field data to the controller.

The obstacle sensor may be, for example, an infrared ray sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an RF sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like. The cleaner 100 may use one type of sensor as the obstacle sensor, or may use two or more types of sensors in combination as the obstacle sensor as needed.

The cliff sensor may primarily use various types of optical sensors, and may sense an obstacle, which is present in an area to be cleaned on which the cleaner body 110 is supported. Accordingly, field data related to an obstacle present in an area to be cleaned may be generated.

The cliff sensor may be, for example, an infrared ray sensor including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, an ultrasonic sensor, an RF sensor, a position-sensitive detector (PSD) sensor, or the like, like the obstacle sensor.

For example, the cliff sensor may be a PSD sensor. However, the cliff sensor may be configured as different types of sensors. The PSD sensor may include a light-emitting unit, which emits an infrared ray toward an obstacle, and a light-receiving unit, which receives an infrared ray that is reflected and returns from the obstacle, and may be typically configured in a modular form. In the case in which an obstacle is sensed by a PSD sensor, it is possible to obtain a stable measurement value irrespective of a difference in the reflectance or in the color of an obstacle.

The controller measures an angle of an infrared ray between a light emission signal generated when the cliff sensor emits an infrared ray toward the surface of an area to be cleaned and a reflection signal generated when the cliff sensor receives an infrared ray reflected from an obstacle, thereby sensing the presence of a cliff and obtaining field data related to the depth of the cliff.

The lower camera sensor obtains image information (field data) about the surface of an area to be cleaned while the cleaner 100 is moving. The lower camera sensor is alternatively referred to using the term “optical flow sensor”. The lower camera sensor may convert a lower-side image, which is received from an image sensor provided inside the sensor, and may generate predetermined type of image data (field data). As such, field data related to the image recognized through the lower camera sensor may be generated.

The controller may detect a location of the cleaner using the lower camera sensor regardless of slippage of the cleaner. The controller may compare and analyze image data captured by the lower camera sensor over time, may calculate a moving distance and a moving direction thereof, and consequently may calculate a location of the cleaner.

The upper camera sensor may be mounted so as to be oriented in an upward direction or a forward direction from the cleaner 100, and may capture an image of the surroundings of the cleaner 100. In the case in which the cleaner 100 is provided with a plurality of upper camera sensors, the camera sensors may be arranged on the top surface or the side surface of the cleaner at regular intervals or angles. Field data related to the image recognized through the upper camera sensor may be generated.

The encoder may detect information related to the operation of the motor for operating the wheel 111. Accordingly, field data related to the operation of the motor may be generated.

The shock sensor may sense shocks generated when the cleaner 100 collides with an external obstacle or the like. Accordingly, field data related to the external shocks may be generated.

The microphone may sense an external sound. Accordingly, field data related to the external sound may be generated.

In this embodiment, the sensing unit 130 includes an image sensor. In this embodiment, the field data is image information acquired by the image sensor or feature point information extracted from the image information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

An adapter 118 may be disposed at the opened lower side of the dust container accommodation unit 112. The adapter 118 is coupled to the cleaner body 110 so as to constitute a part of the cleaner body 110. That is, in the state in which the adapter 118 is coupled to the cleaner body 110, the adapter 118 may be considered to be a part of the cleaner body 110. The dust container 140, in which foreign substances are stored, may be seated on the adapter 118. The adapter 118 may serve to interconnect the cleaner body 110 and the cleaning nozzle 120. The adapter 118 may interconnect an intake flow passage in the cleaner body 110 and an intake flow passage in the cleaning nozzle 120.

The cleaning nozzle 120 is configured to suck air containing foreign substances such as dust or to wipe the area to be cleaned. The cleaning nozzle 120 for sucking air containing foreign substances may be referred to as a suction module, and the cleaning nozzle 120 for wiping the area to be cleaned may be referred to as a mop module.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may be detachably coupled to the cleaner body 110. If the suction module is separated from the cleaner body 110, the mop module may be detachably coupled to the cleaner body 110 instead of the separated suction module. Therefore, when the user wants to remove foreign substances such as dust from the area to be cleaned, the user may install the suction module to the cleaner body 110, and when the user wants to wipe the area to be cleaned, the user may install the mop module to the cleaner body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may be configured to perform both the function of sucking air containing foreign substances such as dust and the function of wiping the area to be cleaned after the suction.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may be disposed at the lower side of the cleaner body 110. Alternatively, as illustrated, the cleaning nozzle 120 may be disposed so as to protrude from a portion of the cleaner body 110. The portion of the cleaner body 110 from which the cleaning nozzle 120 protrudes may be a portion of the cleaner body 110 that is oriented in the direction in which the cleaner body 110 advances, i.e. the front side of the cleaner body 110. The cleaning nozzle 120 may be disposed at a position further forward than the wheel 111 so that a portion thereof may protrude forward from the dust container 140.

As illustrated, the cleaning nozzle 120 protrudes in the forward direction, the leftward direction and the rightward direction from a portion of the cleaner body 110. Specifically, the front end of the cleaning nozzle 120 is located at a position spaced apart from the portion of the cleaner body 110 in the forward direction, and the left and right sides of the cleaning nozzle 120 are respectively located at positions spaced apart from the portion of the cleaner body 110 in the leftward and rightward directions.

A suction motor may be mounted inside the cleaner body 110. An impeller (not illustrated) may be coupled to a rotary shaft of the suction motor. When the suction motor is operated and the impeller is rotated along with the rotation of the rotary shaft, the impeller may generate suction force.

An intake flow passage may be formed inside the cleaner body 110. Foreign substances such as dust may be introduced into the cleaning nozzle 120 from the area to be cleaned by the suction force generated by the drive force of the suction motor, and the foreign substances introduced into the cleaning nozzle 120 may be introduced into the intake flow passage.

In the case in which the cleaner body 110 travels in the automatic mode, the cleaning nozzle 120 may perform cleaning on the area to be cleaned, e.g. a floor. The cleaning nozzle 120 may be disposed at a portion of the front side of the cleaner body 110 that is adjacent to the floor. The cleaning nozzle 120 may have a suction port, which is formed at the bottom surface of the cleaning nozzle 120 in order to suck air thereinto. The suction port may be formed so as to be oriented toward the floor when the cleaning nozzle 120 is coupled to the cleaner body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may be coupled to the cleaner body 110 via the adapter 118. The cleaning nozzle 120 may communicate with the intake flow passage in the cleaner body 110 via the adapter 118. The cleaning nozzle 120 may be disposed at a position further downward than the dust container 140 disposed at the front side of the cleaner body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may include a case, which has a suction port formed at the bottom surface thereof. A brush unit may be rotatably provided inside the case. The case may provide an empty space in which the brush unit is rotatably provided. The brush unit may include a rotary shaft, which extends in the lateral direction, and a brush, which protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft. The rotary shaft of the brush unit may be rotatably coupled to the left side and the right side of the case.

The case of the cleaning nozzle 120 may include a center case 121 and side cases 122, which are disposed at the left and right sides of the center case 121 in order to form the left surface and the right surface of the cleaning nozzle 120. The suction port may be formed at the bottom surface of the center case 121. The center case 121 may have open left and right sides, and the side cases 122 may be coupled to the open left and right sides of the center case 121 and may shield the same.

The brush unit may be disposed such that the brush is exposed downwards through the suction port formed at the bottom surface of the case. Accordingly, when the suction motor is operated, the brush is rotated by the suction force and sweeps foreign substances such as dust up from the area to be cleaned, e.g. a floor. The swept-up foreign substances are sucked into the case by the suction force. To this end, the brush may be made of a material in which frictional electricity is not generated in order to prevent foreign substances from easily adhering to the brush.

The adapter 118 may be coupled to the front side of the cleaner body 110. The adapter 118 may interconnect the cleaner body 110 and the cleaning nozzle 120. The cleaning nozzle 120 may be detachably coupled to the adapter 118. The adapter 118 may support the lower side of the dust container 140.

The dust container 140 may be detachably coupled to the front side of the cleaner body 110, and the lower side thereof may be supported by the adapter 118. The dust container 140 may include a case, which has a hollow cylindrical shape. A filtering unit, which separates foreign substances from the air sucked through the intake flow passage in the cleaner body 110, may be disposed inside the cylindrical-shaped case. The filtering unit may include a plurality of cyclones. The foreign substances, such as dust, filtered by the filtering unit, may drop into the dust container 140, and may be contained in the dust container 140. Only air may escape out of the dust container 140, may be moved toward the suction motor by the suction force of the suction motor, and may finally be discharged outside the cleaner body 110.

The dust container 140 may have an open lower surface, and the open lower surface of the dust container 140 may be shielded by a lid 145. The lid 145 may be rotatably coupled at a portion thereof to the dust container 140 in order to open or close the dust container 140. When the lid 145 is opened, the open lower surface of the dust container 140 may be exposed, and the foreign substances contained in the dust container 140 may drop through the open lower surface of the dust container 140. A user can throw away the foreign substances contained in the dust container 140 by separating the dust container 140 from the cleaner body 110 and opening the lid 145. In the state in which the dust container 140 is coupled to the cleaner body 110, the dust container 140 is seated on the adapter 118. That is, the lid of the dust container 140 is seated on the adapter 118.

As described above, when the cleaner body 110 travels on the area to be cleaned, e.g. a floor, in the automatic mode, the cleaning nozzle 120 may perform cleaning automatically while closely contacting the floor. However, when the user wants to perform cleaning manually, the user may select the manual mode using the mode selection input unit provided at the cleaner body 110, may separate the cleaning nozzle 120 from the cleaner body 110, and may couple a manual cleaning nozzle to the cleaner body 110, thereby performing cleaning manually. The manual cleaning nozzle may include a long bellows-type hose. In this case, a portion of the hose of the manual cleaning nozzle may be connected to the cleaner body 110.

In order to enable the user to conveniently switch the operation mode of the cleaner 100 from the automatic mode to the manual mode, the cleaning nozzle 120 needs to be rapidly and easily removable from the adapter 118. The configuration for removing the cleaning nozzle 120 from the adapter 118 rapidly and easily will now be described.

FIG. 3 is a coupled perspective view of the cleaning nozzle and the adapter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning nozzle and the adapter depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a plan cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the state in which the cleaning nozzle is coupled to the adapter using a hook. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the state in which the coupling of the cleaning nozzle to the adapter using the hook is released.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a first connection passage 118A is formed at the adapter 118. Although it is exemplarily illustrated that the first connection passage 118A is formed at the adapter 118, the adapter 118 may be coupled to the cleaner body 110 and may serve as a part of the cleaner body 110. Therefore, the first connection passage 118A may be considered to be formed at the cleaner body 110. The first connection passage 118A may be formed at the outer surface of the cleaner body 110. Hereinafter, the configuration in which the first connection passage 118A is formed at the adapter 118 will be described for better understanding of the present invention.

The cleaning nozzle 120 may include a second connection passage 121A. The second connection passage 121A may be connected to the first connection passage 118A. The first connection passage 118A formed in the adapter 118 may connect the second connection passage 121A formed in the cleaning nozzle 120 to the intake passage formed in the cleaner body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 includes the center case 121, which has the suction port formed at the bottom surface thereof, the side cases 122, which are disposed at the left and right sides of the center case 121, and the second connection passage 121A formed in the center case 121. A brush unit may be rotatably disposed in the cases 121 and 122. The empty space in the cases 121 and 122 may communicate with the second connection passage 121A. The second connection passage 121A is formed at the rear portions of the cases 121 and 122 and at the center in the lateral direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the cases 121 and 122. It is desirable for the second connection passage 121A to be formed at the rear portion of the center case 121. The second connection passage 121A is formed long in the forward-and-backward direction, and the rear end thereof, which is a distal end in the longitudinal direction thereof, does not protrude from the cases 121 and 122.

The center case 121 may include an upper case 121B and a lower case 121C. The upper case 121B and the lower case 121C may be coupled to each other. The upper case 121B may be disposed on the lower case 121C, and the lower case 121C may be disposed under the upper case 121B. The side cases 122 may be formed integrally with the lower case 121C.

The second connection passage 121A may protrude backwards from the rear portion of the upper case 121B. The front portion of the upper case 121B may be formed such that the shape of the side section thereof is a portion of a circle and such that the bottom surface thereof is open. The lower case 121C may have a suction port 121D, which is formed at a portion of the lower case 121C that corresponds to the open bottom surface of the upper case 121B. The suction port 121D may communicate with the internal space in the upper case 121B. The brush unit may be rotatably disposed in the front portion of the upper case 121B, which is formed such that the shape of the side section thereof is a portion of a circle, and a portion of the brush of the brush unit protrudes downwards from the cleaning nozzle 120 through the suction port 121D, thereby sweeping foreign substances up from the area to be cleaned by rotation thereof The second connection passage 121A may be formed such that the rear end thereof, which is a distal end in the longitudinal direction thereof, does not protrude backwards from the lower case 121C.

The first connection passage 118A serves to guide external air into the cleaner body 110. The second connection passage 121A serves to guide the air, which is introduced into the cases 121 and 122 through the suction port 121D formed in the cases 121 and 122, to the outside of the cases 121 and 122. Therefore, when the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A are connected to each other, the air, which is introduced into the cleaning nozzle 120 through the suction port 121D of the cleaning nozzle 120, can be moved into the cleaner body 110.

The second connection passage 121A may be formed in a hollow cylinder shape. However, the second connection passage 121A is not necessarily formed in a cylinder shape. For example, the second connection passage 121A may be formed in the shape of an elliptical cylinder that has flat upper and lower surfaces and convex side surfaces. The second connection passage 121A communicates with the empty space in the cases 121 and 122, whereby the air and foreign substances introduced into the cases 121 and 122 may be discharged outside. That is, the air and foreign substances introduced into the cases 121 and 122 through the suction port 121D formed at the cases 121 and 122 may be discharged to the outside of the cleaning nozzle 120 through the second connection passage 121A.

The first connection passage 118A is formed at the front portion of the adapter 118. The first connection passage 118A is connected to the second connection passage 121A. The first connection passage 118A may be formed to have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the second connection passage 121A so as to be connected to the second connection passage 121A. The first connection passage 118A may interconnect the second connection passage 121A of the cleaning nozzle 120 and the intake passage in the cleaner body 110. That is, one end, specifically, the front end, of the first connection passage 118A may be connected to the second connection passage 121A, and the opposite end, specifically, the rear end, of the first connection passage 118A may be connected to the intake passage in the cleaner body 110.

The first connection passage 118A may be connected to the second connection passage 121A via insertion into the same. The first connection passage 118A has a hook recess 118Q formed in the outer surface thereof. The second connection passage 121A has therein a hook hole 121Q. The hook recess 118Q and the hook hole 121Q are formed at positions that correspond to each other. A rotary member 125 is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A. The rotary member 125 has a hook projection 125D, which is inserted into the hook hole 121Q and the hook recess 118Q. The hook projection 125D serves to couple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A to each other or decouple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A from each other by the rotation of the rotary member 125. That is, when the hook projection 125D is inserted into the hook hole 121Q and the hook recess 118Q, the hook projection 125D couples the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A to each other, and when the hook projection 125D escapes out of the hook recess 118Q, the hook projection 125D decouples the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A from each other.

A push button 123 is mounted to the cases 121 and 122 of the cleaning nozzle 120. The push button 123 penetrates one surface of the cases 121 and 122 so as to be movable in the direction in which the push button 123 is pressed. In this embodiment, the push button 123 penetrates one side surface of the cases 121 and 122 so as to be movable in the lateral direction. However, the push button 123 may alternatively penetrate one top surface of the cases 121 and 122 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the configuration in which the push button 123 penetrates one side surface of the cases 121 and 122 so as to be movable in the lateral direction will be described.

The lower case 121C may have a through-hole 121F formed in the side surface thereof, through which the push button 123 passes in the horizontal direction. In order to prevent the push button 123 from being undesirably pushed by an obstacle around the cleaner 100 while the cleaner 100 travels, the push button 123 is disposed such that the push button 123 does not protrude from the side surface of the cases 121 and 122 of the cleaning nozzle 120 at normal times.

When the user pushes the push button 123, the cleaning nozzle 120 may be removed from the adapter 118. When the push button 123 is pushed by the user, the push button 123 is moved in the horizontal direction and rotates the rotary member 125. The rotary member 125 may couple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A to each other at normal times. When the rotary member 125 is rotated along with the horizontal movement of the push button 123, the rotary member 125 may decouple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A from each other. That is, when the rotary member 125 is not pushed by the push button 123, the hook projection 125D is maintained in the state in which it is inserted into the hook hole 121Q and the hook recess 118Q, and therefore the coupling between the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A is maintained. Conversely, when the rotary member 125 is pushed and rotated by the push button 123, the hook projection 125D escapes out of the hook recess 118Q, and therefore the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A are decoupled from each other.

The rotary member 125 may be mounted to the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A such that the rotary member 125 rotates about a rotary shaft 125R arranged vertically when the push button 123 is pushed by the user. The rotary member 125 may be rotated about the rotary shaft 125R so as to decouple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A from each other.

The adapter 118 supports the lower side of the dust container 140. The adapter 118 includes a dust container seat portion 118C, on which the dust container 140 is seated. The dust container seat portion 118C is disposed on the first connection passage 118A, and the first connection passage 118A is disposed under the dust container seat portion 118C and does not protrude forwards from the dust container seat portion 118C. The rear end of the second connection passage 121A, which is a distal end in the longitudinal direction thereof, does not protrude backwards from the cases 121 and 122. Therefore, in the state in which the cleaning nozzle 120 is coupled to the adapter 118, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust container 140 protrudes further outward from the cleaner body 110 than the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A, and the cleaning nozzle 120 protrudes further outward from the cleaner body 110 than the dust container 140. This may be considered to have the same meaning as the configuration in which, when the cleaning nozzle 120 is coupled to the cleaner body 110, the cleaner body 110 protrudes further outward than the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A, and the cleaning nozzle 120 protrudes further outward than the cleaner body 110.

As such, in the state in which the cleaning nozzle 120 is coupled to the adapter 118, the dust container 140 protrudes further outward from the cleaner body 110 than the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A. Therefore, in order to enable the user to easily remove the cleaning nozzle 120 from the adapter 118, it is desirable for the push button 123 to be disposed at the cleaning nozzle 120, which protrudes further outward from the cleaner body 110 than the dust container 140, rather than at the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A.

The dust container seat portion 118C has the same shape as the lid 145 of the dust container 140, i.e. a circular shape, when viewed from above so that the lid 145 of the dust container 140 can be seated on the dust container seat portion 118C. The dust container seat portion 118C may include a circular-shaped base 118D and a base cover 118E, which is coupled to the upper side of the base 118D. The lid 145 is substantially brought into contact with the top surface of the base cover 118E. The base cover 118E may be formed of a soft material, for example, a rubber or plastic material, which has certain elastic force in comparison with the material of the base 118D.

The push button 123 may be formed such that one end portion thereof, which is a portion that penetrates the through-hole 121F formed in the lower case 121C in the horizontal direction, has a smaller diameter than the remaining portion thereof The remaining portion of the push button 123 is formed to have a larger diameter than the through-hole 121F so as to prevent the push button 123 from protruding from the side surface of the cases 121 and 122 through the through-hole 121F by restricting the horizontal movement of the push button 123.

The rotary member 125 may include a hinge portion 125A, a first arm portion 125B, and a second arm portion 125C. The hinge portion 125A may be hinged to the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A of the cleaning nozzle 120. The first arm portion 125B may extend in one direction from the hinge portion 125A. The first arm portion 125B may be in contact with the push button 123. The second arm portion 125C may extend in the opposite direction from the hinge portion 125A. The second arm portion 125C may couple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A to each other. When the first arm portion 125B is pushed by the push button 123, the second arm portion 125C may decouple the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A from each other. The first arm portion 125B may be disposed at a rear position on the basis of the hinge portion 125A, and the second arm portion 125C may be disposed at a front position on the basis of the hinge portion 125A.

The rotary shaft 125R may protrude from one side of the hinge portion 125A. The rotary shaft 125R may be formed such that the surface thereof that faces the second connection passage 121A has a cross-section, the shape of which is semicircular. The rotary shaft 125R may be formed across the direction in which the push button 123 is pressed. In this embodiment, the rotary shaft 125R extends perpendicular to the direction in which the push button 123 is pushed. In this embodiment, the push button 123 penetrates the side surface of the cases 121 and 122 in the lateral direction so as to be pushed in the lateral direction, and the rotary shaft 125R is formed long so as to extend in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the push button 123 may penetrate the top surface of the cases 121 and 122 in the vertical direction so as to be pushed in the vertical direction, and the rotary shaft 125R may be formed long so as to extend in the lateral direction. A hinge recess 121R, into which the rotary shaft 125R is inserted, may be formed in the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A. The hinge recess 121R may be formed to have a cross-section, the shape of which is the same as the shape of the cross-section of the rotary shaft 125R, i.e. a semicircular shape. In addition, the hinge recess 121R may be formed long in the vertical direction so as to receive the entire vertical length of the rotary shaft 125R therein.

The hook projection 125D protrudes from the surface of the second arm portion 125C that faces the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A. The hook projection 125D is inserted into the hook hole 121Q formed in the second connection passage 121A and the hook recess 118Q formed in the first connection passage 118A, and couples the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A to each other. When the push button 123 is pushed by the user in the state in which the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A are coupled to each other by the hook projection 125D, the first arm portion 125B is pressed by the push button 123, the rotary member 125 is rotated about the hinge portion 125A, and accordingly the hook projection 125D escapes from the hook recess 118Q. As a result, the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A are decoupled from each other.

A cover 126, which covers a portion of the rotary member 125, may be mounted to the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A. The cover 126 may be formed so as to cover the hinge portion 125A and the second arm portion 125C of the rotary member 125. Accordingly, the first arm portion 125B of the rotary member 125 may protrude outwards from the cover 126, and may be brought into contact with the push button 123. After the rotary shaft 125R of the rotary member 125 is inserted into the hinge recess 121R of the second connection passage 121A, the cover 126 may be coupled to the second connection passage 121A so as to cover the hinge portion 125A and the second arm portion 125C. In order to couple the cover 126 and the second connection passage 121A to each other, a hook may be formed at any one of the cover 126 and the second connection passage 121A, and a hook hole, into which the hook is coupled via insertion, may be formed in the remaining one thereof. Alternatively, the cover 126 and the second connection passage 121A may be coupled to each other using a screw.

An elastic member 127 may be disposed between the second arm portion 125C and the cover 126. The elastic member 127 may be elastically supported by the second arm portion 125C and the cover 126 so as to return the rotary member 125 to the original position of the rotary member 125. That is, in the state in which the first connection passage 118A and the second connection passage 121A are decoupled from each other by the user pushing the push button 123, when the user releases the push button 123, the rotary member 125 may be rotated to the original position thereof by the elastic force of the elastic member 127, and consequently the push button 123 may be moved in the lateral direction and may also return to the original position thereof.

The elastic member 127 may be configured as a coil spring, one end of which is elastically supported by the second arm portion 125C and the opposite end of which is elastically supported by the cover 126. The second arm portion 125C may include an insertion boss 125T, which is inserted into the coil spring. The insertion boss 125T may be inserted into the coil spring through one end of the coil spring, thereby preventing the one end of the coil spring from being separated from the second arm portion 125C. In addition, the cover 126 may have an insertion recess (not illustrated), which is formed in the surface of the cover 126 that faces the insertion boss 125T and into which the opposite end of the coil spring is inserted. The opposite end of the coil spring may be inserted into the insertion recess, thereby preventing the opposite end of the coil spring from being separated from the cover 126.

The push button 123 may be formed to be curved in the longitudinal direction thereof. Accordingly, the one end of the push button 123, which penetrates the side surface of the cases 121 and 122, may be located further forward than the opposite end thereof, which is in contact with the first arm portion 125B. The cases 121 and 122 are formed such that the center portion thereof has a greater length than the two side portions thereof in the forward-and-backward direction. Thus, the space in the cases 121 and 122 is insufficient to accommodate the push button 123 and the rotary member 125 therein. For this reason, the push button 123 is formed to be curved in the longitudinal direction thereof such that the one end thereof, which penetrates the side surface of the cases 121 and 122, is located further forward than the opposite end thereof, which is in contact with the first arm portion 125B. Accordingly, it is possible to secure space for mounting the push button 123 and the rotary member 125 in the cases 121 and 122.

The cases 121 and 122 may include a guide protrusion 121P formed therein, which guides the horizontal movement of the push button 123. The guide protrusion 121P may protrude from the inner rear surface of the lower case 121C in the forward direction. The guide protrusion 121P may be formed such that the surface thereof that faces the push button 123 is curved corresponding to the curvature of the push button 123. The push button 123 is formed to be curved such that the front surface thereof is convex and the rear surface thereof is concave. Therefore, the guide protrusion 121P is formed such that the front surface thereof, which faces the push button 123, is convex.

As described above, the cleaner 100 according to the present invention is configured such that the push button 123 is provided at the side surface of the cleaning nozzle 120 and such that the rotary member 125, which interlocks with the push button 123, is provided at the outer surface of the second connection passage 121A. Therefore, the user is capable of removing the cleaning nozzle 120 by intuitively viewing and pressing the push button 123 disposed at the side surface of the cleaning nozzle 120.

In addition, the cleaner 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention provides both the automatic mode, in which the cleaner performs cleaning while traveling autonomously like a robot cleaner, and the manual mode, in which the user performs cleaning while manually pulling or pushing the cleaner. Therefore, in order to enable the user to conveniently switch the operation mode of the cleaner 100 from the automatic mode to the manual mode, the cleaning nozzle 120 for use in the automatic mode needs to be removed from the cleaner body 110 and replaced by a cleaning nozzle for use in the manual mode rapidly and easily. According to the present invention, when the user wants to perform manual cleaning, the user is capable of easily removing the cleaning nozzle 120 for use in the automatic mode and replacing the same with a cleaning nozzle for use in the manual mode.

Furthermore, since the adapter 118 functions to support the dust container 140 as well as to interconnect the cleaning nozzle 120 and the cleaner body 110, the structure of the cleaner is simplified through integration of parts.

As is apparent from the above description, a cleaner according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, the cleaner is configured such that a push button is provided at one side surface of a cleaning nozzle and such that a rotary member, which interlocks with the push button, is provided at the outer surface of a second connection passage. Therefore, when the user wants to switch from an automatic cleaning mode to a manual cleaning mode, the user is capable of removing the cleaning nozzle by intuitively viewing and pressing the push button disposed at the cleaning nozzle.

Secondly, the cleaner is configured such that the lower side of a dust container is seated on an adapter for interconnecting a cleaner body and a cleaning nozzle. Therefore, the structure of the cleaner is simplified through integration of parts.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaner comprising: a cleaner body comprising a first connection passage formed at an outer surface of the cleaner body to guide external air into the cleaner body; and a cleaning nozzle configured to clean an area to be cleaned using a suction port formed therein for sucking air, wherein the cleaning nozzle comprises: a case comprising the suction port and a second connection passage for guiding air sucked into the case through the suction port to an outside, the second connection passage being connected to the first connection passage; a push button penetrating one surface of the case so as to be movable in a direction in which the push button is pressed; and a rotary member mounted to an outer surface of the second connection passage so as to be rotatable about a rotary shaft extending across the direction in which the push button is pressed, the rotary member being configured to couple the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other at normal times and to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the rotary member is rotated along with movement of the push button.
 2. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member comprises: a hinge portion comprising the rotary shaft, the hinge portion being hinged to the outer surface of the second connection passage; a first arm portion extending in one direction from the hinge portion so as to be in contact with the push button; and a second arm portion extending in an opposite direction from the hinge portion so as to couple the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other, the second arm portion being configured to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the first arm portion is pushed by the push button.
 3. The cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the second arm portion comprises a hook projection for coupling the first connection passage and the second connection passage to each other, the hook projection being configured to decouple the first connection passage and the second connection passage from each other when the first arm portion is pushed by the push button.
 4. The cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the first connection passage is inserted into the second connection passage, wherein the first connection passage has therein a hook hole into which the hook projection is inserted, and wherein the second connection passage has therein a hook recess into which the hook projection is inserted.
 5. The cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning nozzle further comprises a cover mounted to the outer surface of the second connection passage to cover the hinge portion and the second arm portion.
 6. The cleaner according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning nozzle further comprises an elastic member for returning the rotary member to an original position of the rotary member, the elastic member being elastically supported by the second arm portion and the cover.
 7. The cleaner according to claim 6, wherein the elastic member is configured as a coil spring, and wherein the second arm portion comprises an insertion boss configured to be inserted into the coil spring.
 8. The cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the first arm portion is disposed at a rear position on the basis of the hinge portion, wherein the second arm portion is disposed at a front position on the basis of the hinge portion, and wherein the push button is formed to be curved in a longitudinal direction thereof such that one end thereof that penetrates a side surface of the case is located further forward than an opposite end thereof that is in contact with the first arm portion.
 9. The cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the case comprises a guide protrusion formed therein to guide horizontal movement of the push button, and wherein the guide protrusion is formed such that a surface thereof that faces the push button is curved corresponding to a curvature of the push button.
 10. The cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the rotary shaft protrudes from one side of the hinge portion, and wherein the second connection passage has a hinge recess formed in the outer surface of the second connection passage, the hinge recess being configured to allow the rotary shaft to be inserted thereinto.
 11. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner body protrudes further outward than the first connection passage and the second connection passage, and wherein the cleaning nozzle protrudes further outward than the cleaner body.
 12. The cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a dust container detachably coupled to the cleaner body to store foreign substances therein; and an adapter configured to interconnect the cleaner body and the cleaning nozzle and to allow the dust container to be seated thereon, wherein the first connection passage is formed at the adapter.
 13. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises: an upper case comprising the second connection passage; and a lower case coupled to the upper case, the lower case comprising the suction port that communicates with an internal space in the upper case and a through-hole that the push button penetrates in a horizontal direction.
 14. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the second connection passage is formed such that a distal end in a longitudinal direction thereof is located within the case. 